23 - Darshan To Goddess

A trip was arranged by the school. It was decided to visit Pavagarh. They informed Bhai. Bhai apologized, ‘All of you please go ahead. It is not convenient for me to join you.' The teachers and the students insisted very much. Looking at their affection Bhai consented. ‘All right! All of us will go.' All of them were delighted. They left for the trip. Bus reached Pavagarh in the morning. The students were cheerful. They were in a hurry to climb the hill. They were in competition to climb the hill first. Bhai said, ‘We must start to climb with remembrance of God.' They remembered God and began to climb. They reached the last series of the steps. Bhai sat down under a tree.

Another teacher who had accompanied said, ‘Bhai, now only a few steps are left. You will be able to make it.' Bhai said, ‘All of you, please go and have Darshan. I am sitting here.' Teachers insisted very much, but Bhai refused. Slowly, the teachers climbed the steps. At that time, the teachers and the students saw a woman climbing down the steps. She was wearing white clothes. She was looking beautiful and serene. They gazed at her. The woman climbed down the steps and stopped near Bhai. The teachers and the students stopped on the steps. Why did the woman go to Bhai? The woman bowed down to Bhai. She told Bhai, ‘You are a great soul full of splendour. I can see great prowess in you. I have never had Darshan of a divine man like you. You are great. Please, bless me to attain salvation. Liberate me.' Bhai blessed her and said, ‘Mataji! Your work is not yet over. As soon as it is over, the ultimate Supreme Lord will liberate you.' She was extremely pleased. Once again she bowed down to Bhai and disappeared. They went running to Bhai. They asked, ‘Who was she? We thought that a woman was bowing down to you. And asking for your blessings. But she has disappeared.' Bhai revealed, ‘She was Goddess Mahakali of Pavagarh. She came here for Darshan. She was blessed by God and then she disappeared.¬’

A student asked, ‘But how beautiful was she! In the temple she does not appear so beautiful.' Bhai said, ‘In the temple she may be looking different, but in reality Mataji looks such beautiful and serene.¬’ A teacher said, ‘Bhai, we went to have Darshan of Mataji and she herself came down the steps to have your Darshan!' Bhai explained, ‘All the Gods and Godesses come to attain the blessings of Lord Swaminarayan.¬’ The students inquired, ‘But she came to you.' Bhai explained, ‘Yes I am a staunch devotee of Lord Swaminarayan. I am always accompanied by God. Therefore, she came down here. I blessed her with the remembrance of God.' They were amazed listening to the explanation. They thought, ‘Oh! How great is our Bhai! Gods and Godesses also visit him for his Darshan! We are the most fortunate because we are privileged to remain with Bhai.¬’ They bowed down to Bhai with reverence.

Difficult words:
Apologized - Expressed regret for a mistake
Serene - Calm and undisturbed
Staunch - Firm, Loyal

Points to ponder:
- Looking at the prowess of an Anadimukta, even Gods-Godesses go to him for his blessings to attain salvation.
- Blessings of an Anadimukta works as good as the blessings of God. Because God Himself blesses through an Anadimukta.

Exercise

Answer the following questions:
1. Where did the students go for the school trip?
2. What did the teachers and the students notice while climbing the steps of the temple?
3. What did they ask Bhai? What did Bhai reply?

Fill in the blanks :
1. You are a great soul full of _____________.
2. I can see great _____________ in you. 3. I have never had _____________ of a _____________ man like you.
4. Please, bless me to attain _____________ please_____________me.
5. She was _____________ of Pavagarh.